Diet And Anxiety

It was not until I was years into my anxiety and panic attacks with bouts of depression that I learned just how important and how much Diet and Anxiety go together. Most of the time it is not until you get much older that you begin thinking about things like diet, exercise, health and our bodies and how everything effects us. We were always told to drink water water water. So how many of you at a young age really think about exactly what water does for your body?

Water transports nutrients, hormones and chemical messengers to vital organs in the body. If we don't keep our bodies well-hydrated they may react with signals such as anxiety which you would never think that is related to poor drinking habits.

Here are some interesting facts about water:
-75% or more of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
-37%  of Americans the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.
-Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.
-One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of  the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.
-Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

The goal is to drink 8 glasses of water a day in order to replenish the deficit of fluids that reach all the way to the molecular level. Our cells then communicate this to our subconscious as an underlying subtle feeling of anxiety. In short water is key when considering Diet and Anxiety. Ample amounts of water ward off subtle feelings of anxiety, helping cure anxiety and is incredibly helpful in building stamina and warding off fatigue.

Diet is something we can immediately take control of to help improve our over all well- being while also building a positive mental attitude allowing us to feel as if  "I am in control of my body."

On average, most people have a high acidic diet which gives you a lower resistance to stress as well as a variety of serious health conditions. To be at the optimum balance there needs to be 80% alkaline in your diet. If your diet is to acidic your body will have difficulty eliminating toxins from the body, which leaves you with less of a buffer zone to stress.

High acidic foods are: Salt, sugar, proteins, nuts, grains, dairy products (except yogurt), refined or processed products and alcohol. Alkaline foods: fruits, vegetables and juices.

In order to obtain this optimum balance we need to focus on raw vegetable, fruits and small quantities of protein as we need for energy. A person needs  50 g of protein a day with a good diet. This breaks down into 7 ounces of animal protein (or a vegetarian equivalent) or 36 ounces of good yogurt. Should you have a physical occupation or you are very strenuous then you may need more than 50 g of protein a day. In order to eliminate anxiety the rest of your diet should be alkaline.

To help cure your anxiety, see below to find a more comprehensive list of alkaline foods that will help bring greater balance to your diet.

Diet and Anxiety are linked together no matter how you look at it or analyze it, We must learn to take care of our bodies if we want our bodies to take care of us.

Alkaline Foods:

Parsnips                                                         Orange
Rutabagas                                                      Grapes
Cauliflower                                                    Apricots
Mushrooms                                                    Blackberries
Green beans                                                   Peaches
Green peas                                                     Raspberries
White potatoes                                               Pears
Tomatoes                                                       Apples
Muskmelon                                                    Beans, dried
Cantaloupe                                                     Dried Figs
Limes                                                              Dried Dates
Strawberries                                                   Bananas
Pineapples                                                      Raisins
Prunes                                                            Avocados
Sweet Potatoes                                              Watermelons
Honey Dew Melons                                       Molasse
Beet Greens                                                   Celery
Chard Leaves                                                Watercress
Sauerkraut                                                      Lettuce
Green Limas                                                  Cucumbers
Radishes                                                        Cabbage
Broccoli                                                         Beets
Brussel Sprouts                                              Carrots
Green Soybeans                                             Raw Spinach

The more you take control over your diet and fluid intake, the more you will begin to regain you self control and confidence that you really can control how you and your body react to anxiety. Take the time to work out a diet tailored for you and make sure to include plenty of water.

Only WE can choose to Support one another,
Sincerely,
Melinda Pearson

PS: This subject is discussed more in-depth in the panic-away system so please take the time to give this program a review and let me know what you think. CLICK HERE! Please take the time to like and share this post and leave me a comment if you liked or learned something from this post.

Anxious Intrusive Thoughts

In almost all cases of general anxiety, the driving factor fueling the sensations are anxious intrusive thoughts. There can be little chance for success over the root of anxiety without addressing these intrusive thoughts.

Most of us who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks often have to deal with the negative side-effects of unwanted thoughts that continually creep into our minds over concern for loved ones, concern over our own health or even fears that have no rational sense, but continue to linger in our minds.

Barry with the Panic Away system guides us though a two-step process, that is in part related to his ONE MOVE step in his program for getting rid of anxious intrusive thoughts. You must eliminate the negative thinking patterns by producing a shift in attitude along with specific visualization tools.

THE ATTITUDE SHIFT:
The distress we feel does not come from the intrusive thoughts we have, but how we respond to those thoughts. Our reactions to the thoughts are what enables them to have influence and power over us. It helps to paint a playful visual picture to better understand how these unwanted thoughts come about.

Think about you standing on a street corner watching as thoughts just lazily float by. These thoughts can be your own or ones from an outside source like a news report, magazine, gossip. You notice a thought will gravitate closer to you as you give it attention as the rest of the thoughts just float on by.

As you focus on a thought more closely, notice how it attaches to similar thoughts thus leading to the jumping from one thought to another. These can be everyday chores, bills or can be themed as a fantasy/daydream.

In our imaginary scenario you now notice a thought unexpectedly in front of you that "scares" you. We will call this fear X. X can be ill health, panic attacks or even something bizarre. The thought begins to come closer and closer because you can't help but focus on it which produces fear because you do not like what you see. This sets in the "what ifs" as you examine the thought more and notice how this only connects more worry and no matter how hard you try to push it away or focus on pleasant thoughts your mind keeps coming back to the fearful thought.

HOW TO TACKLE ANXIOUS INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS:
There has to be a change in Attitude. You have to change the way you react to intrusive thoughts thus disarming the emotional reaction to Fear X. Once the reaction has been significantly reduced the anxious intrusive thoughts will dissipate.

The trick, is to have a new reaction to them when they run through your mind instead of trying to free yourself of them. We can't control what goes through our minds but we can change how we react. This is the key difference of someone who gets caught up in fearful or anxious thinking and someone who does not.

Next time Fear X or any thought your mind can conceive comes to mind understand these thoughts are not a realistic fear, and you want them to stop interrupting your life. Do not push the thought away. THIS IS IMPORTANT:

Say to yourself: Today I am trusting that all is well and all though this thought/fear is a possibility it is a remote one and I am not going to worry about that right now.

What is most important here is not to get upset by the emotions or fears as they arise, you want to avoid any emotional reaction to the fear so try giving the fear some cartoon characteristics.

For example, imagine Porky Pig telling you "Something awful is going to happen to you today. Aren't you scared?" with all his stuttering?  Make it a totally ridiculous scene as to take away the initial emtional reactions..How can you take Porky Pig seriously, he is so funny! By doing this you are taking the thoughts authority away making it no longer a threat. When this is done go back to what you were doing before the thought entered. You are not pushing the thought away or trying to side track it you are targeting it and taking it's authority to affect you away.

This will take practice especially in the beginning but you will soon find you are not checking yourself as much during the day to see how you feel. You are changing the fearful emotion  leaving less troublesome thoughts that just float on by with the other thoughts. I strongly recommend going to the panic away program to get more in depth information on this technique.


Only WE can choose to Support One Another,
Sincerely,
Melinda Pearson

PS: If you would like more information on this technique then please CLICK HERE!
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Depersonalization And Anxiety

In the Panic Away system, Barry Mcdonagh talks about Depersonalization and Anxiety.  This is not talked about much in the world of anxiety and panic attacks but make no mistake it is certainly there.

Depersonalization is believed to be caused by an imbalance in brain chemicals but the exact reason behind it is not clear. The sensation is caused by delayed perception, while your body is under constant stress or anxiety there is a build up of stress chemicals that causes a delayed response of the transmission of information between neurotransmitter sites in your body.

When you feel you are outside yourself looking in, or feel like your losing your mind, or your having an out of body experience then you are in the effects of Depersonalization and Anxiety.

Symptoms can include:
1.) Feeling like you are watching yourself like an observer
2.) Not in control of your actions.
3.) Feel as your disconnected from your body.
4.) Out of body experiences.
5.) Feeling as if it's a dream.
6.) Feeling like everything around you is not real.

The key is to recognized that these are only feelings and not reality. The good news is you are ok and have not done any damage to your brain or body, you are just fine. Even if it shows itself at the most troublesome times. The Panic Away program is wonderful for teaching you how to face this crisis head on to learn to go with these feelings taking the fear out of the equation which shuts the anxiety down. You feel more empowered when you are able to stand strong, face the fears, and then defeat them and take fears' power away.

Psychologists normally recommend Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBH) for treatment of depersonalization or medications such as those used for anxiety and depression, mainly which are benzodiazepines such as zanax or ativan or valium. All though depresonalization has been linked to withdrawal symptoms from these same medications.

Remembering that Depersonalization and anxiety go hand in hand but can be faced and their power over you taken away. Don't let the fears sucker you into thinking you are alone and stuck with these feelings because those thoughts are not valid. This will take practice but the change in your attitude will make a big difference to you and that anxious person will soon seem like a stranger.


Only WE can choose to Support one another,
Sincerely,
Melinda Pearson

PS: Please take the time to check out the Panic Away system and get the answers you need on Depersonalization and Anxiety.   CLICK HERE  If you learned something then please let me know or leave me a comment. If you enjoyed the post then by all means like and share with those we can help.

Tips On Anxiety And Panic Attacks

I would like to share with you some tips on anxiety and panic attacks that are offered by the Panic Away program. This program as well as I believe in confronting and learning to deal with the many effects and emotions that go along with these conditions.

Please enjoy the tips and check below for a free e-book from the Panic-Away Program to give you a little more information. I am a strong believer in facing your challenges or fears head on as once you conquer them you succeed in controlling you bodies effects to your emotions and thoughts and lessen the thoughts altogether bringing you peace and control again.

4 tips on anxiety and panic attacks:

1. Diet

2. Exercise

3. Distraction

4. Elimination of anxious thoughts

The following tips are divided into separate sections and easily implemented into your daily routine. These tips are to help strengthen your resistance to anxiety. 

DIET:  Looks at how you can ward off  excessive anxiety successfully through your diet. The more balanced the diet the more the mind/body relationship feels secure and strong. What you eat today can definitely impact the level of anxiety you will feel tomorrow. the program goes more in-depth on how important and what foods will help you with a diet to reduce anxiety.

EXERCISE:  Exercise brings the body to a heighten state through exertion as like what happens when you have an anxiety attack, so your body learns to except the heightened state and doesn't see it as a threat. So many people leave this part out in their daily routines and it is an important one. Not to mention the many relaxation and health benefits exercise provides.

DISTRACTION:  This is also important for tips on anxiety and panic attacks. We all have been distracted when we are nervous in return making us feel more at ease, but how does this apply to anxiety and panic attacks? Distraction helps you keep your attention to whats going on around you instead of the anxious feelings trying to invade our thoughts.

ELIMINATION OF ANXIOUS THOUGHTS: Most people who have been sucessful in ending anxiety and panic have intentionlly or even un-intentionally taught themselves to change their thinking patterns to a positive constructive manner instead of negative spirals of negative thoughts.

Please see the link below to download a free copy of a book from the Panic-Away program that I hope you will find informative and reassuring. This program is one of the best programs I know if you choose to take the more natural controlled way of handling your anxiety. Knowledge is power and this program gives you a wonderful defense against this powerful demon.

http://www.panicaway.com/downloads/Panic_Away_Program.pdf

Only WE can choose to support one another!

Sincerely, Melinda Pearson 

PS: Please take the time to check out Panic-Away and let me know what you think about these tips on anxiety and panic attacks. If you learned something from this,  please leave me a comment, like and share with your friends.  CLICK HERE

How To Cope With Anxiety

I would like to share with you a natural way in how to cope with anxiety. Mr Barry McDonagh came up with a wonderful program designed to help control anxiety and panic attacks. He began in his college years suffering the attacks and panic and like me, he believes in the natural way without medications.

His approach is alittle different than most as he steers you toward facing your sensations and attacks rather than blocking or running away from them..Once your mentally accept and know that these attacks pose no physical threat and you start demanding at the attacks, they will subside till you overcone them.

Please watch the video below that will help you understand more on how to cope with anxiety. I will have a bonus video, one of my favorites at the end of this post.

Once you normalize your sensations and let them run through you, you no longer will fear or dread the attacks..He truly has a wonderful message and well worth the little investment. I still after years get emails with little tricks and updates about handling anziety. I have a blue link to his program at the top of my blog so please take the time to go there and check the customer satisfaction ratings and the many Doctors that recommend this program. I am a believer and I pray it will help you.

As promised please see the video below as it walks you thru a panick attack. With this program I truly believe you will learn how to cope with anxiety.

Only WE can choose to support one another.

Sincerely, Melinda Pearson,

PS: Please take the time to check out panic away out and let me know what you think. If you like this information, please leave me a comment and like and share with your friends. To learn How To Cope With Anxiety?.   CLICK HERE

CALL FOR ACTION!

If I had one wish it would be for LOVE to go viral...So many things from the funniest to the saddest go viral daily ...For those who suffer with anxiety, panic attacks, depression or any other mental illness I wish their stories could go viral. People would then see their pain and anguish and know just how hard living with one of these conditions can be.

In the last few months we have lost Mr. Robin Williams and just seen Mr. Wayne Brady on the Doctor's show talking about bouts of depression as well...TWO of the most funniest and entertaining people we know have dealt with their own battles and demons. To me this says YES  mental illnesses are real and it's time to take this seriuosly. It's time to take notice and start taking care of each other.

If I could open my heart I would blanket the world with love and support for anyone suffering from these illnesses...THIS IS MY PASSION! I have been down that road and I am so thankful for the right people coming at the right times to save me. I still have my own battles but I make time to see in others what they can't show.. ONE word, can make more of a difference than you know.

I share tips and techniques with you in order to help educate you on some of these conditions and symptoms in hopes that they will help you along your path. I can talk medications, natural supplements,  stress release or coping skills. I can talk real life experiences if it will help someone not feel alone or at least see a glimmer of light shine through. My SOLE  purpose is to help all those I can, whether it be tips or just saying you are not alone or I do understand.

MY CALL TO ACTION:  If you know someone suffering from a mental illness BE THERE! A kind word, a hug to say I am here for you, spend a little time with them to understand how they REALLY are. The MOST important thing to someone suffering with a mental illness is SUPPORT! No matter who or how it comes, just as long as that support is there. You will be amazed at the change you can make in someone's life.


Remember only WE can choose to support one another.
Sincerely, Melinda Pearson

PS: If you like this post or learned something, then please leave me a comment and don't forget to like and share with your friends.

Magnesium and Anxiety

There are so many natural products out there that claim to help with anxiety and panic atracks it gets mind boggling. I came across an article in Psychology Today, written by Emily Deans M.D. that was very informative and has a lot of good information and in my view definitely worth reading. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201106/magnesium-and-the-brain-the-original-chill-pill


Currently the RDA for adults on magnesium is 320mg to 420mg daily, but the average US intake is about 250mg daily.

Does this matter with Anxiety? YES as magnesium plays an important role in biochemical reactions all over the body. Look at it like this, while sodium and potassium balance each other in the brain, magnesium is the counter ion for potassium and calcium in muscle cells including the heart. When the levels are to low you may experience arrythmias, cramps and even sudden death. Ion regulation is every thing w/respect to how muscles contract and how our nerves send signals.

George and Karen Ebay wrote an article in Medical Hypothesis 2006 about "rapid recovery from major depression using magnesium treatment." They run a research facility out of an office warehouse in Austin, TX. I recommend this study also as they give you a case by case breakdown and lots of interesting information on the essential mineral magnesium.

Have you ever heard your grandma say magnesium was good for you? It is actually and old school remedy for all that ails you including, anxiety, apathy, depression, headaches, restlessness, irritability, and a few others such as talkativeness and sulkiness. In 1968 Wacker and Parisi said that magnesium deficiency could cause depression, behavioral disturbances, headaches, muscle cramps, seizures, ataxia, psychosis and irritability all of which are reversible with magnesium repletion.

WHAT causes magnesium depletion?  Magnesium deficient diets and STRESS....There is that word again? STRESS causes us to waste our magnesium like crazy. Please see Eby's case studies for more detailbs on their study.

Seems like we just need to load up on magnesium and  we would be good right? Unfortunately it doesn't quite work that way...it is always recommended to talk to your Doctor before adding any kind of supplements, especially if you are taking any medications or have kidney desease. There are some precautions in the link above as well but magnesium from all that I have read is a real supplement that may be of great help and a wonderful alternative to medications for some people


Only WE can choose to love and support one another!

Sincerely, Melinda Pearson

PS: I would love to hear your comments or suggestions on what you would like to see. If you learned something or liked this post, please like and share with your friends.

Just Being There!

I have researched everything and anything I could find on anxiety and panic attacks, but the one thing you find little of is the importance of support.

I could give you lists of anti-depressants, what they are, what their possible side affects are and why you should or should not take them. I can share my own personal experiences all of which were horrible, but many of you have already seen the statistics out there.

I could speak of the symptoms of anxiety or panic attacks, but most of you suffering with these know all to well what they are and how bad they can be.

Anxiety and or panic attacks are a real mental problem for many of us. NO we are not crazy and don't deserve to be treated as such. Our minds are a constant flow of thoughts, mostly unwarranted fears that are like a movie playing over and over again in our mind...Someone not suffering with this affliction, this would be hard for them to understand. We certainly do not ask for this condition and I personally would not wish it on my worst enemy!

We over analyze everything and are our worst critics...things most people can move past or just forget are next to impossible to us. This is not intentional just part of the condition so please be careful with your words...For us they could hurt more than you know.

Please please do not tell us to "let it go" or "move on" or "just get over it". If it were that easy for us you better believe we would have already done so.

The most important thing you can have when suffering with anxiety and/or panic attacks is SUPPORT.  Just make sure you surround yourself with positive support to uplift you and encourage you. STAY AWAY from those that bring you down and tell you opinions that hurt....If it hurts you it's not support so distance yourself from that negativity.  We have to help one another as a good support system is key in learning to cope with our condition. One kind word can make a HUGE difference.

Just a note to add, our counselors at times I know for me will say things to hurt, but they know what they are doing to help us get through or past what is hurting us...Sometimes it does take pain in order to get our thoughts into perspective, but for me I only want it from the ones trained to get me there. Our family and friends, just listen to us, tell us you love us and be there for us. That is the most wonderful thing you can do for us.



Only WE can support one another.

SINCERELY,
Melinda Pearson





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What Stresses You?

I read an article today on MindBodyGreen about a survey that was done to find out what stresses people out the most. I was a little shocked that the answer was LIFE. This is such a broad term and can mean so many different things and only shows how easy it is for every day stresses to just jumble together till we just put it all in one category. LIFE.

If we learn to break our stress down to specific things they become easier to understand and managable to change..

7 Ways To Stress Less & Feel Great About Life:

1. Make an irritation list.

I just heard about this tip from Jack Canfield, co-creator of The Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books. Yep, that’s right. Not a grocery list, not a To Do list, an irritation list! Is something bothering or frustrating you? Write it down on your irritation list. It could be anything as small as “that stack of unread magazines I never get time for” to an actual person who is causing drama in your life, just write it down.

First you're going to feel better just getting that junk out of your head and on to paper. Now, your task is to figure out what you can do to make that list smaller. Your goal is to get as many things you can off of that list. Less to be irritated about means less to be stressed about. See what you can cross off this list!

2. Take stock.

This one may be a little depressing at first—especially if you don’t like the way your life is currently going—but ultimately it will land you on the greener side of the fence. First, write down how you want your life to look. What would your life look like if you felt happy and fulfilled? (Your mood will probably improve just by writing it!) Next, write down how your life currently looks.

Now, here’s the tough part. How far apart are those two visions? If they are far apart, take heart. You just need to make a To Do list that will get you closer to your ideal vision for your life. Change can be hard at first, but it also can be empowering! Write down everything you can think of to change things in your favor to the life you really want to live.

3. Don’t compare your life to others.

You have no idea what their journey is all about. Comparing yourself to others takes the focus off of YOU, and that’s where your focus should be. Plus, comparing yourself to others is never accurate because things can look a whole lot different on the surface than they are in reality. You can idealize someone and wish you had some aspect of someone else’s life, but you probably don’t have the entire story.

Comparing your life to others is losing valuable energy that could go into getting your own life to where you want it to be. Don’t waste your mental energy on comparisons. Think about what you love about your own life and how to create more things in your life that you love!

4. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful.

Clutter weighs you down in many ways. Don’t hang on to things or relationships just to hang on to things. Filter everything with the question: Do I really love it? If you don’t, recycle or donate and fill your home only with the things you love the most. Spend your time doing as many things you love as you can. Imagine looking around your home, your closet, your garage, your desk and liking everything you see?

5. Do a goal check.

We're now closing in on the last few chapters of this year. How are you doing on the goals you set for yourself in the start of this year? If they've gotten away from you, how can you get back on track? Toss guilt, self-loathing and beating yourself up out the window, and just start over. Give yourself a fresh start. If it helps, start with the end in mind and think about how you want to feel when this year concludes. What do you have to do to get there?

6. Make a gratitude list or keep a great experience journal.

It’s so easy for our minds to get stuck on what isn’t going right and get stuck in a stressed-out tailspin. Don't let your brain live in a depressing space. If you do guess how you will feel? Choose instead to focus on what’s going right in your life. What do you love about your day? What are the small things you can take a second to notice?

Gratitude lists and journal immediately put your brain in a positive place. Even if you just write down one thing a day, that's a start. If you are feeling motivated, keep a daily list of all the things you are grateful for and consider journaling about the best part of your day! You may just surprise yourself at how much you truly have to be grateful for and it will put things in perspective. Plus, you will consciously be spending time in your happy place—that along will make you feel so much better!

7. Take some time for you.

I have three kids. I am constantly traveling and my schedule is crazy, but I find time to recharge. What helps you feel revitalized? It can be anything: yoga, a walk in the park, a phone call with a good friend, a mug of tea, or curling up on the couch with a good book.

Only WE can choose to support and love one another!

Sincerely, Melinda Pearson

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Mindfulness Meditation?

Is it possible?  A recent article I read states that mindfulness meditation may be the future treatment of choice for anxiety? WOW!!
An article posted in the National Post out of the UK posted and article that stated the Journal of the American Medical Assoc. (www.jamanetwork.com) published a ground breaking study released on Jan 6, 2014.

The report found that mindless meditation "nurtures equanimity" and trains you to have an unshakable balance of mind, so you're feeling everything but not getting swamped by it. The study said it appears to provide as much relief from some anxiety and depression symptoms as antidepressants? AMAZING!

Dr. Madhav Goyal of John Hopkins School of Medicine led the research and singled out mindfulness meditation as the most effective form of treatment.

I absolutely am thrilled to hear of this study as "Knowledge is Power"  when it comes to anxiety and depression. What is even more exciting is that it is Drug-Free. Please see below the three steps they provide to master mindfulness meditation. Please keep in mind we all have our own personal feelings and this may not be exciting to some and I respect that. My goal is only to help and support.

CREATING A SPACE FOR MINDFULNESS

This technique can be used whenever you feel unbalanced, anxious, or simply would like to feel more present. It takes no more than three minutes and can be practised at home, in the office, on the train… anywhere.

1. With eyes closed, sit in a straight-backed chair, upright, alert but relaxed. Bring your attention to your feet. Notice how they feel resting on the floor. Then, notice physical sensations in the body – on your skin, in the muscles. Next, become aware of your thinking; notice thoughts as they come and go without getting involved with the content of the thought; and then turn attention to any emotions you may be feeling. Be curious about how you’re feeling – there’s no need to fix or change how you experience. Simply notice it.
2. Now, gather your attention into your breathing. Notice the sensation of air entering the nostrils and then exiting. Keep your awareness on the natural flow of your breath for a minute or so, being really interested in the quality of each breath: texture, temperature, length… If your mind becomes distracted, don’t worry: simply bring your attention back to your breathing.

3. Now, expand your attention outwards so that you feel your whole body breathing. Feel the breath flowing through all parts of the body. You can then extend your awareness beyond your body: become aware of sounds around you, layers of sound, different pitches, volumes, textures.

Only WE can choose to support one another.

Sincerely, Melinda Pearson

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Sleep and Anxiety

 How hard is it for you to fall asleep or stay asleep? According to the ADAA (www.adaa.org) over 40 million people report long-term sleep disorders and 20 million people report occasional problems falling asleep or staying asleep. So does anxiety play a role in this?
YES! Anxiety can cause sleeping problems or make those problems even worse. I would lie in bed for hours tossing and turning and singing Amazing Grace to myself all the while watching the clock praying for sleep that would never come. I would recommend discussing any long term sleeping problems you have with your doctor first to decide what it best for you...Some people do well with meds for temporary help but are not recommended for long term use due to addiction possibilities.

     Most of you know I am a believer in natural products or natural ways to handle my anxiety and panic attacks. I have what I call medical anxiety and general anxiety. Basically anything that could harm me medically sends my anxiety in overload..
I have an extremely hard time taking any medications (maybe aspirin and benadryl) without panic attacks to follow. When is the last time you have heard of someone going to an emergency room in extreme pain and REFUSE pain medication. THAT WOULD BE ME! I get a pain in my chest or constantly think about a heart attack or some other medical condition...Silly worries YES but for me they are very real and very scary..

     I still recommend the panic away system, please see link above, because it is all natural and it shows you techniques and ways to deal with anxiety without medications. To me it's a very good program and more knowledge is  power against this condition.

     Most experts will tell you to make a bedtime routine to prepare yourself for sleep. Stop all stimulants at least a couple before bed. Caffeine, chocolate, nicotine and make sure your exercise routines are in the morning and afternoons or at least 2 hours before bedtime. Prepare yourself by listening to some relaxing music or even curl up with a good book after taking a nice hot bath and learn to relax before even attempting to get into bed...
Make your bed a relaxing haven for you...Quiet, Dark and Cool are ideal to prompt relaxation and rest...We all love our tv's in the bedroom but they are very distracting when trying to go to sleep.  Work on an ideal sleep environment as it is so crucial for learning to deal with your anxiety. Web Md and Anxiety & Depression Association of America or ADAA (see link above) Have very good ideas for wonderful sleep environments, as well as lots of tips and techniques.

     I would enjoy seeing questions and comments and even suggestions on future information you would like to  see on this page. My goal is to be a source of help and support by giving and sharing information that may help you with the challenges you face along this PATH OF ANXIETY!

Together only WE can support each other,

Sincerely,Melinda Pearson

     










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SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER

I have been reading through a lot of forums and discussions on anxiety, panic attacks, depression all of which you may be experiencing or only one or two. There are so many discussions on the medications whether Benzo's or SSRI'S with good and bad comments..What I enjoy seeing is people supporting each other in a common need. We can have the best Doctors, no matter what kind, and still suffer without the help of someone to get us through. THINK ABOUT IT. With every step you have taken through your journey WHO was there? Please don't tell me anyone was ALONE. If there should be one I would hope they would contact me. I have suffered with this condition most of my adult life and have traveled many journeys alone, afraid or to embarrassed to speak up. I have been through lots of medications and had some horrifying experiences with them. For me they were not an options as the side affects were way to bad. I do see an LPC and I love her dearly. I tell her often that she is who keeps me sane not to mention a husband who would give anything to take it all away. I have a strong support system and that for me makes a HUGE difference. Whether you choose medication, doctors or natural means just make sure you share and talk about what you are going through. That ONE outlet can make a world of difference. Check back soon for more tips and always support for anyone who needs it.



Only WE can choose to support one another!
Sincerely, Melinda Pearson

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Techniques For Coping With Anxiety

We've all been there...lying in bed praying for sleep to come to only have a million other things going through our minds at the same time. You think about if you were to harsh with your family member today or you go over the list of things that need to be done tomorrow..I am no DOCTOR but I could write an article on nothing but the thoughts that haunt our minds when we try to sleep. What it all comes down to is facing the anxiety head-on and discounting the many things that our minds come up with. I like these tips Dr. Leahy has come up with and they are helpful in calming some of the fears along with a warm bath and warm glass of milk before climbing into bed. Anything to help take your mind away from the anxiety. It's all about just finding the things that work best for YOU. We are all wired different and although one thing may work well for me, it may not work for someone else so the more information and tips we gather, the more we learn what works for us.

Barry McDonagh has a wonderful program for dealing with anxiety and the dreaded panic attacks that normally goes hand in hand with anxiety. It is in my opinion, a program that is worth the time to invest and learn  as it contains many many techniques that are very useful in helping to keep the panic attacks less frequent and learning to recognize the signs and wonderful ways to cope. We all know there is no "PERFECT CURE" and I am not one who believes in medicating the problem. The more I learn the more I am able to manage this condition on my own, free of medications and all the terrible side affects that come along with them. So enjoy the tips below and click the link as well to review the PANIC AWAY program.

10 WAYS TO COPE WITH ANXIETY
Need help managing your worries? Follow this psychologist’s advice.
By:Robert L. Leahy, Ph.D.,

1. Repeat your worry until you’re bored silly. If you had a fear of elevators, you’d get rid of it if you rode in one a thousand times in a row. At first, you would be very anxious, then less so, and eventually it would have no effect (except to make you sick of riding in an elevator). So take the troublesome thought that’s nagging at you and say it over and over, silently, slowly, for 20 minutes. It’s hard to keep your mind on a worry if you repeat it that many times. I call this the “boredom cure” for obvious reasons, but it sure beats feeling overwhelmed by anxiety.

2. Make it worse. When you try too hard to control your anxieties, you only heighten them. Instead, exaggerate them and see what happens. For instance, if you fear that your mind will go blank during a presentation, fake it intentionally in the middle of your next one. Say, “Gee, what was I just saying?” Notice how this makes no difference. It’s nothing to worry about, right? I did this at a lecture once and no one raised an eyebrow. (Perhaps they weren’t listening anyway!)

3. Don’t fight the craziness. You may occasionally have thoughts that lead you to think you’ll do something terrible (“I’m attracted to him. Does that mean I’ll have an affair?”) or that you’re going insane (a client of mine who is an attorney kept imagining herself screaming in court). Remember―our minds are creative. Little synapses are firing away at random, and every now and then a “crazy” thought jumps out. Everyone has them. Instead of judging yours, describe it to yourself like it’s a curious object on a shelf and move on.

4. Recognize false alarms. That fear of your house burning down because you left the iron on has never come true. That rapid heart beat doesn’t mean you’re having a heart attack; it’s your body’s natural response to arousal. Many thoughts and sensations that we interpret as cues for concern―even panic―are just background noise. Think of each of them as a fire engine going to another place. You’ve noticed them; now let them pass by.

5. Turn your anxiety into a movie. You can let go of a worry by disconnecting yourself from it. One way is to imagine that your anxious thoughts are a show. Maybe they’re a little guy in a funny hat who tap dances and sings out your worry while you sit in the audience, eating popcorn, a calm observer.



6. Set aside worry time. All too often we take a “Crackberry” approach to our worries: They show up unannounced, like constantly dinging e-mails, and we stop everything to address them―even if we should be doing something else. But what if you don’t respond right away? Try setting aside 20 minutes every day―let’s say at 4:30 p.m.―just for your worries. If you are fretting at 10 a.m., jot down the reason and resolve to think it through later. By the time 4:30 comes around, many of your troubles won’t even matter anymore. And you will have spent almost an entire day anxiety-free.

7. Take your hand off the horn. You constantly check the weather before a big outdoor event. You replay that clumsy comment you made, wishing you could take it back. And, yes, you honk your horn in traffic. When you desperately try to take command of things that can’t be controlled, you’re like the swimmer who panics and slaps at the water, screaming. It gets you nowhere. Instead, imagine that you are floating along on the water with your arms spread out, looking up to the sky. It’s a paradox, but when you surrender to the moment, you actually feel far more in control.

8. Breathe it out. You may notice that when your body is tense, you hold your breath. Focusing on breathing is a common but effective technique for calming the nerves. Where is your breath now, and where is your mind? Bring them together. Listen to the movement of your breath. Does your mind wander somewhere else? Call it back. Concentrate only on breathing in and out, beginning and ending, breath to breath, moment to moment.

9. Make peace with time. When you’re a worrier, everything can feel like an emergency. But notice this about all your anxious arousal: It’s temporary. Every feeling of panic comes to an end, every concern eventually wears itself out, every so-called emergency seems to evaporate. Ask yourself, “How will I feel about this in a week or a month?” This one, too, really will pass.

10. Don’t let your worries stop you from living your life. Many of them will turn out to be false, and the consequences of your anxiety―less sleep, a rapid pulse, a little embarrassment―are just inconveniences when it comes down to it. What can you still do even if you feel anxious? Almost anything.



May we All love and support one another,


MELINDA PEARSON

PS: If you would like to check out the panic away site that I mentioned, then click on the link below. It's worth all the knowledge you can gather to learn how to deal with your anziety and all the effects it can have.
Click Here!








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ANXIETY-Your Not Alone!

My purpose today is to let anyone who is suffering from the terrible affect of anxiety that you are not alone...I have suffered  from this condition for more than 30 years and with much trial and heartache I have found ways in better coping with this condition...You are certainly not alone and for someone who suffers from this knows that feeling all to well...I would welcome your comments and I will be offering articles, tips, techniques and inspiration to help you along your path.